Leicester-born Sir David Attenborough launches ship bearing his name

Sir David Attenborough speaks at the launch of the RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research ship's hull, on the River Mersey in Liverpool. Credit: PA

An emotional Sir David Attenborough has launched the ship named after him.

The Leicester-born broadcaster said he was "more honoured than he could say" as the RSS Sir David Attenborough took to the River Mersery on 14 July.

Launched from the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, the 200m vessel, the largest civilian ship to be built in the UK for 30 years, is also the most technically advanced survey ship ever built.

Sir David, 92, said his namesake, which the public voted to call Boaty McBoatface but which was officially named after the presenter, couldbe "key" to the preservation of the planet.

It will accommodate 60 scientists on research trips to Antarctica when completed.

Sir David said:

The veteran presenter said the "perils" facing the earth were "far, far greater than they have ever been in its entire history".

Boaty McBoatface lives on in the form of a miniature, unmanned, yellow submarine Credit: PA

More than 124,000 people voted to name the vessel Boaty McBoatface in a public poll, but that name was vetoed and it was instead named after the broadcaster.

However, 'Boaty' lives on, in the form of a miniature, unmanned, yellow submarine on board the boat, which will be operated by the British Antartic Survey (BAS).

Once in the water, tug boats pulled the RSS Sir David Attenborough into the wet basin where construction work will continue.